Can Atheists and Theists co-exist? - Think Atheist2017-09-26T21:58:21Zhttp://www.thinkatheist.com/forum/topics/can-atheists-and-theists-co-exist?commentId=1982180%3AComment%3A1231236&xg_source=activity&feed=yes&xn_auth=noYes, I promise not to think i…tag:www.thinkatheist.com,2013-02-15:1982180:Comment:12600602013-02-15T18:18:28.064ZJames Coxhttp://www.thinkatheist.com/profile/JamesCox
<p>Yes, I promise not to think ill of you or scream, if you do not constantly try to make a sale to me. I want you to be well and ok theist. The universe is a big place, the planet emerges from deep time, but there is still plenty of ignorance, and I am not immune. There is room for virtue, spirituality, nuttyness, heroics, and hope. With you, theist, I hope, and desire a better culture that is still possible. Lets find ways to save the planet, from ourselves, to make sure we still have time. I…</p>
<p>Yes, I promise not to think ill of you or scream, if you do not constantly try to make a sale to me. I want you to be well and ok theist. The universe is a big place, the planet emerges from deep time, but there is still plenty of ignorance, and I am not immune. There is room for virtue, spirituality, nuttyness, heroics, and hope. With you, theist, I hope, and desire a better culture that is still possible. Lets find ways to save the planet, from ourselves, to make sure we still have time. I am not yet ready to give up, waiting for the planet's soil to yet trap one more form of life in it's strata. I expect, you, theist, have yet one more commentary to write... </p> Mikayla, you can't be turned…tag:www.thinkatheist.com,2012-12-08:1982180:Comment:12315172012-12-08T23:19:12.355ZMarchttp://www.thinkatheist.com/profile/MarcCatera
Mikayla, you can't be turned gay. Either you are attracted or you're not.<br />
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You are straight and you like guys correct?<br />
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How silver-tongued would a girl have to be to persuade you into liking girls? I like women and have been with the same one for 28 years. There is no argument, no matter how convincing, no dude, no matter how attractive, and no circumstance or amount of alcohol that I could drink that I would find myself wanting to be with a guy. If there was then I'd be gay or at least bi, but…
Mikayla, you can't be turned gay. Either you are attracted or you're not.<br />
<br />
You are straight and you like guys correct?<br />
<br />
How silver-tongued would a girl have to be to persuade you into liking girls? I like women and have been with the same one for 28 years. There is no argument, no matter how convincing, no dude, no matter how attractive, and no circumstance or amount of alcohol that I could drink that I would find myself wanting to be with a guy. If there was then I'd be gay or at least bi, but I'd already know that. And if I was so what? Let's say you really were gay, so what?<br />
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If you were lonely, had very low self-esteem, or where desperate for attention, whether it be physical attention or social attention, I would agree that there are predatory types on both sides of one's sexual orientation that might try to take advantage of that. If that's the case than you should hold them same animosity or distrust for all of them, regardless of their sexual orientation. @Mikayla:
One thing I did as…tag:www.thinkatheist.com,2012-12-08:1982180:Comment:12314942012-12-08T20:45:03.684ZJames Coxhttp://www.thinkatheist.com/profile/JamesCox
<p>@Mikayla:</p>
<p>One thing I did as part of my on-going philosophy interest/training, I went to several conferences for gay rights/marriage, and bisexual conflicts. After lots of enlightening conversations and good pizza, it became clear that you 'CAN NOT FAKE BEING GAY!'</p>
<p>There seems to be something different, but it is not about belief. Belief issues come into play during and after the emergence of the identity, with the other folks making it hard to cope and survive the expression…</p>
<p>@Mikayla:</p>
<p>One thing I did as part of my on-going philosophy interest/training, I went to several conferences for gay rights/marriage, and bisexual conflicts. After lots of enlightening conversations and good pizza, it became clear that you 'CAN NOT FAKE BEING GAY!'</p>
<p>There seems to be something different, but it is not about belief. Belief issues come into play during and after the emergence of the identity, with the other folks making it hard to cope and survive the expression of that identity.</p>
<p>We each emerge or submerge out of/into the some social construct of 'normal'. Atheism, for many would be an expression of the 'abnormal'. While with large groups of atheists, the belief/attitude appears to be normal, and the linguistic expressions of the group are good attempts to sustain that perception.</p>
<p>Gay folks are surrounded by multiple social constructs, some welcoming, others cruel and alienating. As an atheist, I have seen this in my own life, and can be treated differently just by using my words differently, or mentioning a detail that might not be common knowledge/experience.</p>
<p>Theists generally assume that they are the 'in group', with the divine right to define, normal, moral, justice, knowledge, wisdom, authority, and history. </p>
<p>I suggest not being affraid of gays, be more concerned about the folks that might like to define them out of existence, or deny basic human rights to them. Denying rights to one, can wedge open the gates to denying rights to any that might be convenient or politically useful. </p> By pushing the beliefs, i mea…tag:www.thinkatheist.com,2012-12-08:1982180:Comment:12312362012-12-08T04:58:03.565ZMikayla Grangerhttp://www.thinkatheist.com/profile/MikaylaGranger
<p>By pushing the beliefs, i meant as long as they dont try to turn me gay. im not homophobic or anything. i just dont think its the right way to go. i support them. i just dont want to be them.</p>
<p>By pushing the beliefs, i meant as long as they dont try to turn me gay. im not homophobic or anything. i just dont think its the right way to go. i support them. i just dont want to be them.</p> I had this same reaction on a…tag:www.thinkatheist.com,2012-12-02:1982180:Comment:12203582012-12-02T07:41:29.245ZJames Coxhttp://www.thinkatheist.com/profile/JamesCox
<p>I had this same reaction on a date once. The gal asked if I would like to go to church with her, I said yes. I arrived a little late, but she meet me at the front of the church. I noticed that someone was speaking in tounges! This was very hard for me to take, but I sat down with her, all the time trying very hard to hold a screaming giggle down. Sadly, it was a little too obvious.... </p>
<p>I had this same reaction on a date once. The gal asked if I would like to go to church with her, I said yes. I arrived a little late, but she meet me at the front of the church. I noticed that someone was speaking in tounges! This was very hard for me to take, but I sat down with her, all the time trying very hard to hold a screaming giggle down. Sadly, it was a little too obvious.... </p> Geometry question - why would…tag:www.thinkatheist.com,2012-12-02:1982180:Comment:12204542012-12-02T07:32:34.451Zarchaeopteryxhttp://www.thinkatheist.com/xn/detail/u_2gskiyna07rt3
<p>Geometry question - why would a ring have corners?</p>
<p>Geometry question - why would a ring have corners?</p> I was of the impression that…tag:www.thinkatheist.com,2012-12-02:1982180:Comment:12203552012-12-02T07:31:49.718ZJames Coxhttp://www.thinkatheist.com/profile/JamesCox
<p>I was of the impression that Voltarie and Franklin were both folks that gave money to churches, because while the churches were not always good examples, they atleast offered an example of moral/ethical actions, better than none at all. It might be that my memory is a little thin from my readings, but this seemed to be the position.</p>
<p>I was of the impression that Voltarie and Franklin were both folks that gave money to churches, because while the churches were not always good examples, they atleast offered an example of moral/ethical actions, better than none at all. It might be that my memory is a little thin from my readings, but this seemed to be the position.</p> First you may have neglected…tag:www.thinkatheist.com,2012-12-02:1982180:Comment:12201822012-12-02T05:27:47.322Zarchaeopteryxhttp://www.thinkatheist.com/xn/detail/u_2gskiyna07rt3
<p>First you may have neglected to notice that I edited my comment to read two, rather than three. Secondly, the site is TA, not AT, and lastly, the users can't comment on that which they cannot see, ergo, the moderators decide which topics "abide" in the fab five. But other than that, you're absolutely right! Except for the "captivating" part --</p>
<p>First you may have neglected to notice that I edited my comment to read two, rather than three. Secondly, the site is TA, not AT, and lastly, the users can't comment on that which they cannot see, ergo, the moderators decide which topics "abide" in the fab five. But other than that, you're absolutely right! Except for the "captivating" part --</p> I must not have been online w…tag:www.thinkatheist.com,2012-12-02:1982180:Comment:12202252012-12-02T05:15:38.411ZUnseenhttp://www.thinkatheist.com/profile/Unseen
<p>I must not have been online when three of my extremely captivating topics were among the five. I can remember a time when there were two. Anyway you and I don't decide which topics abide in the five, the AT users do.</p>
<p>I must not have been online when three of my extremely captivating topics were among the five. I can remember a time when there were two. Anyway you and I don't decide which topics abide in the five, the AT users do.</p> There have been times, many t…tag:www.thinkatheist.com,2012-12-02:1982180:Comment:12204252012-12-02T05:06:10.266Zarchaeopteryxhttp://www.thinkatheist.com/xn/detail/u_2gskiyna07rt3
<p>There have been times, many times, when I have seen your effusive countenance on two out of five topics - while I certainly don't begrudge your day in the sun (you could certainly use the vitamin D), I felt my own had as much merit as yours. Four may be the charm for some less discriminating - three is enough for me.</p>
<p>Not sour grapes, just good wine --</p>
<p>(BTW - speaking of wine, I have been criticized for spelling "merlot," "merlo" - what my critics fail to realize, is not only is…</p>
<p>There have been times, many times, when I have seen your effusive countenance on two out of five topics - while I certainly don't begrudge your day in the sun (you could certainly use the vitamin D), I felt my own had as much merit as yours. Four may be the charm for some less discriminating - three is enough for me.</p>
<p>Not sour grapes, just good wine --</p>
<p>(BTW - speaking of wine, I have been criticized for spelling "merlot," "merlo" - what my critics fail to realize, is not only is the "t" in merlo silent, it is also <em>invisible</em> --)</p>
<p>There's also the remote possibility that I reached for the "t" key, and missed --</p>